Sustainable Investing, offered by Harvard Business School Online, is a six-week online certificate program designed to help investment professionals evaluate Environmental, Social, and Governance factors and measure and manage impact investments. Taught by Professor Shawn Cole and Senior Lecturer Vikram Gandhi, the course uses Harvard Business School Online’s case-based learning model to build a practical understanding of sustainable investing in today’s market. It is designed for learners with a basic understanding of investment management, capital markets, and asset classes and provides a structured introduction to integrating sustainability considerations into investment decision-making.

Core Content

The curriculum focuses on incorporating ESG factors into investment decisions, defining and managing impact investments, and selecting investments aligned with both financial goals and broader public value. Harvard Business School Online highlights that the course explores the evolving sustainable investing landscape, frameworks for measuring and monitoring sustainable investment opportunities, climate risk in investment analysis, and implementation strategies for avoiding impact washing. The content also addresses issues such as climate change, social equality, and community development through an applied investment lens.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to evaluate ESG factors in investment analysis, assess and manage impact investments, and apply frameworks to monitor sustainable investment opportunities more rigorously. The course also helps learners understand climate risk within investment opportunities and how to integrate those risks into financial models. By the end of the program, participants are expected to build a clearer perspective on the relationship between investing and impact while strengthening their ability to make more informed and responsible investment decisions.

Target Learners

This course is designed for investment professionals and other learners who already have a basic understanding of investment management, capital markets, and asset classes. It is particularly relevant for those looking to strengthen their ability to assess ESG issues, measure investment impact, and align investment decisions with sustainability and public good objectives. Because Harvard Business School Online presents the course as a certificate program with a professional orientation, it is especially suitable for finance practitioners seeking structured and applied learning in sustainable investing.

Learning Format

Hosted by Harvard Business School Online, the course is delivered in an online format over six weeks with an estimated workload of about 30 hours, or roughly five hours per week. The learning experience uses the HBS case-based model and includes active participation through polls, quizzes, written reflections, and collaboration with a global participant group. Learners who successfully complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Business School Online. Current listings show the course as available on demand, with a price of $1,850.

Additional Benefits

The course offers strong professional value for learners seeking a recognized credential in sustainable investing from Harvard Business School Online. Its case-based format, faculty leadership, and focus on practical ESG and impact investing frameworks make it useful for professionals who want to apply sustainability concepts more rigorously in investment roles. The Certificate of Completion also adds formal recognition for those looking to strengthen their profile in sustainable finance and responsible investment practice.

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